Publication

This paper examines the Venezuelan presidential election that was forced by Hugo Chávez's death. When Chávez's designated successor, Nicolás Maduro, won by a margin of less than 1.5 percent, the opposition filed a court challenge over the results. This insistence on due process may seem admirable, but there is a problem. Because the judiciary and other key institutions were ‘hollowed out’ during the 14 years of Chávez’s reign, genuine uncertainty now exists over whether a smooth transition into a post-Chávez era is truly possible.